Influenza or Respiratory Flu
What is influenza or what is commonly called “the flu”?
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the
respiratory tract: nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms can be mild to severe.
Signs and symptoms of the flu:
The following symptoms may be experienced by persons infected with these viruses.
Fever/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny/stuffy nose
Body aches
Headaches
Fatigue
Some individuals may experience vomiting and diarrhea, this is more common in
children.
How is the flu spread?
Most often, these viruses are spread via droplets made when an infected individual
coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets may land in the mouths or noses of other people.
It is also possible to come in contact with the viruses by touching surfaces or objects that
the flu virus is on and then touching your eyes, mouth or nose. Good hand-washing and
covering your coughs and sneezes is a good practice to prevent the spread of all diseases.
Incubation period
It is possible to spread these viruses up to one day before symptoms develop and 5-7
days after becoming ill. Please keep your child home from school until they have
been fever free for 24 hours and can manage good hygiene for cough/runny nose.
Best prevention- Get Vaccinated!
Two types of vaccines available:
“Flu shots” are inactivated vaccines containing inactivated viruses that are given with a
needle.
Nasal-spray vaccine- made with live, weakened viruses that are given via a spray into the
nostril. These do not cause people to get the flu.
Flu vaccines are usually available beginning in September or October and continue
through the flu season which can last into May.
If your child has a fever of 100 or higher, please keep him/her home until he/she is fever
free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. The same 24 hour
guideline applies for a student who has an uncontrolled cough, is vomiting or has
diarrhea.